2 leaders suspended for straying from route

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, February 6

Two farmer leaders have been suspended allegedly for diverting from their routes during the tractor march on Republic Day in Delhi.

Farmer leaders said a committee is inquiring into the matter and action would be initiated after the committee submits its report.

Farmer leaders from Punjab on Saturday held a meeting of 14 Punjab unions and claimed that the ‘chakka jam’ for three hours was successful as well as peaceful across India . According to sources, the joint forum of 32 farmer unions has suspended two Punjab-based farmer leaders Surjeet Singh Phool, president, Bharatiya Kisan Union Krantikari, and Harpal Singh Sangha, Azaad Kisan Committee, Doaba, after the Delhi incident on Republic Day.

Notably, the farmers’ movement had got a big setback after the Delhi violence and thousands of people started going back to their states.

Farmer leaders of 32 Punjab unions reviewed the Delhi incident during their meeting and found that some farmer groups did not follow the route decided upon by Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Delhi Police.

The farmer leaders formed a three-member committee to inquire into the matter and suspended Phool and Sangha reportedly for not following the route. Ruldu Singh Mansa, at a press conference today, said that it was an internal matter of the ‘jathebandis’ (farmer unions) and the committee would give its report in the matter.

Darshan Pal Singh, president, Krantikari Kisan Union, said that the call for ‘chakka jam’ was given against the harassment of farmers by the Centre, in support of our demands and against the ‘anti-farmer’ Budget presented by the Centre. Harpal Singh, president, BKU Azad Kisan Committee, Doaba, said that he has given his written explanation to the committee. The committee has to decide on it, he said.

Surjit Singh Phool could not be contacted despite several attempts

January 26 violence

Farmer leaders of 32 Punjab unions reviewed the Delhi incident during their meeting and found that some farmer groups did not follow the route decided upon by Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Delhi Police.